Former Nigerian international and Fenerbahce striker, Emmanuel Emenike’s season loan deal at United Arab Emirates’ club, Al Ain has been terminated barely six months.
The 28-year-old power-player scored nine goals in 15 matches for the Dubai-based club but disciplinary issues forced Al Ain board to terminate his deal, alongside his Netherlands mate, Ryan Babel.
According to media reports, Emenike was accused, alongside former Liverpool striker, of not showing commitment to play for the club. Babel and the club has been having disciplinary issues over his use of the social media and is also set to leave.
“I think Babel will go back to Turkey to play with Fenerbahce. And Emmanuel, we have one team from China interested and Fenerbahce want to take him back,” a board member of Al Ain, Mohammed Obeid Hamdoun said.
“This is normal in football. Sometimes big name and big players come and don’t do anything here. Sometimes you bring one big name and he doesn’t want to play — that’s my opinion on Babel and Emenike, I think they didn’t want to play here.
“I saw Emenike in the World Cup and the African Cup of Nations with Nigeria and he was a good player. But when he came here he scored only seven [league] goals, with the local players we have here? Enough,” he fumed.
Al Ain management has already drafted in Colombian winger Danilo Asprilla and Brazilian striker Douglas as replacement for the departing duo of Emenike and Babel, with the club’s coach, Zlatko Dalic thanking them for their services.
“I want to say thank you to Emenike and Babel for the last six months with us. I wish them all the best next season at a new club. This is football, this is life. Also, we did everything that our fans wanted of us. I hope to make them happy“, Dalic said.
“We’ve had a great half season. I’m sure we’ve had great transfer window and did everything our fans expected of us,” he added.
By Olisemeka Obeche